The police in Candelaria, Quezon, arrested a lawyer who came to town to assist residents who complain about their cash aid assistance under the social amelioration program (SAP).
The lawyer was identified as Russel Miraflor of Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Quezon chapter and also a local radio anchor in the province.
According to Miraflor, he was taking a video in Malabanban Norte when he two policemen approached him and questioned what he was doing.
He said he presented the ID from the barangay, but the authorities did not honor it.
He was detained at the Candelaria local police station, but he still does not know what case would be filed against him.
According to police, the lawyer allegedly violated the enhanced quarantine community.
Miraflor went to Candelaria, Quezon, to inquire about the complaints reported to him that the cash aid from SAP is being divided and was not given entirely to the residents.
“Pinakita ko po itong ID pero hindi raw ito ang frontliner ID… Maybe pagsikil ito sa pamamahayag. Ayaw nila na makita ng tao na merong mga anomalya talagang nangyayari,” said the detained attorney.
(I showed my ID, but they said it was not a frontliner ID. Maybe it’s a repression of journalism. They don’t want the people to see that anomalies are really happening.)
The Quezon Police Provincial Office has not yet responded to the incident.
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Gingoog City police give aid to 64 families
As many Filipinos struggle to meet their daily needs as a result of the coronavirus disease crisis (COVID-19), the police in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, decided to extend help to families in need.
Up to 64 families are beneficiaries of the Gingoog police’s “Adopt-A-Family” project, according to Chief Lt. Col. Ariel Philip Pontillas.
Each police officer will choose a family he or she will be assigned to help each week.
“In any amount na kaya o bukal sa loob, pagkain na puwede naming ibigay,” said Pontillas.
Among the recipients is the family of a prisoner who escaped last week.
Pontillas said that during their hot pursuit, they discovered the fugitive’s wife and four little children in their house.
Gingoog police hope to set an example in encouraging others to help the poor amid the COVID-19 crisis.